Chapter 244

Sarah's POV

"You." I repeated, my voice dropping to a dangerous whisper, desperately clinging to my last shred of control, "saying 'testing me' means what exactly?"

Silence.Robert didn't immediately respond, only his faint breathing on the line reminded me he was still there. I waited anxiously,feeling each second stretch into eternity.

My mind raced through possibilities: Perhaps he was unhappy with Max's recent report card? Or because I'd brought Max home late from social events a few times? Maybe he'd heard about my situation with Philip and was concerned about its impact on Max?

As the silence extended, my hand unconsciously moved to my slightly rounded abdomen. If I lost Max, I'd lose my guarantee that Robert would provide financial support forever. The thought sent a wave of panic through me.

I consoled myself: "He can't be serious. Robert is far too busy with work to actually want custody of Max. He's just testing my attitude toward our son."This self-reassurance slightly relaxed my tense nerves.

I realized my earlier reaction had been too intense. Negotiating with Robert had always required strategy-being too aggressive would only backfire.I needed to appear gentler, more sincere,to make him feel my maternal love.

"I'm sorry, Robert," I said softly, deliberately adding vulnerability and remorse to my voice, "I shouldn't have reacted that way. It's just.,.you know how important Max is to me. He's my everything, the product of our

love. I guess I'm just terrified of losing him."

Still silence from the other end. Time ticked by, and my unease deepened.Finally. Robert spoke-not with an answer, but with a laugh.

That laugh sent chills through mny body, my stomach feeling like it had been punched. My heart rate instantly accelerated, fine beads of sweat forming on my forehead.

Before I could respond, the line went dead.

I stared at my phone screen in disbelief, my fingers beginning to tremble slightly. Heat rushed to my head, my cheeks burning. I violently threw my phone onto the sofa, biting my lower lip until I tasted blood.

"Bastard!" I cursed under my breath, my voice hoarse with anger. "How dare you treat me like this?"

I never allowed anyone to hang up on me, especially not Robert, that weak man. For years, he'd been the most obedient puppet in my hands-my tears could make him beg for forgiveness, my smile could make him give me everything. Now he dared to humiliate me like this?

I rose to pace around the living room, breathing fast and heavy, my right hand constantly fixing my hair, my left hand pressed firmly against my abdomen. My mind replayed our conversation, searching for my error.

No,something must have happened that I wasn't aware of. Robert didn't have the courage to plan such defiance alone. Someone must be pulling strings behind the scenes, someone must be helping him.

This sudden loss of control made me clench my fists, knuckles turning white. I was once a celebrated star, an envied winner, the brightest presence in New York high society. I would not allow myself to become

anyone's laughingstock.

Taking a deep breath. I tried to compose myself. Now was not the time to fall apart. I needed to think, needed a new plan.

I walked to the sofa, retrieved my phone, checking it for damage. When I unlocked the screen, a notification appeared-a message from Howard's private account:

"I told you, it's been a test all along."

My blood instantly froze. My fingers trembled uncontrollably as I stared at the message, trying to understand the connection. Was this coincidence or something more sinister?

"Howard must be with Robert," I muttered, piecing together a theory."They're probably discussing that Howard Technologies project. This can't be..."

I carefully replied: "Howard? I'm not sure I understand what you mean.What test are you referring to?"

Almost immediately, the phone rang-Howard's private number flashing on the screen. A strange premonition accelerated my heartbeat. I took a deep breath, composed myself, and answered.

"Hello,Howard," I said, deliberately making my voice warm and intimate.

"Not Howard," came Robert's voice from the other end.

I checked my screen again-it definitely showed Howard's private account calling. This confirmed my earlier suspicion that Howard and Robert were together. But why was Robert using Howard's phone?

"Damn Robert," I cursed inwardly, "you're bringing personal matters to Howard? Trying to show him you have a backbone? Pathetic."

I took a deep breath,reassuring myself this was just a momentary impulse from Robert. Robert was still under my control, he just needed a little stimulation to prove his existence.

"Robert?" I kept my voice gentle, "Why are you using Howard's phone?What's going on?"

"No games, Sarah." Robert's voice was terrifyingly calm. "It's finally time to reveal the truth."

My fingers gripped the sofa armrest tightly, knuckles turning white."What does that mean?"

"The person messaging you has never been Howard," Robert explained, his voice steady and cold. "It's been me all along."

The world tilted beneath my feet. I sat down on the sofa, feeling nauseous."That's impossible. You're lying."

"Am I?" he challenged, "Think about it, Sarah. After your initial interaction,did you ever actually meet 'Howard' in person? Or was it all just messages and calls?"

Impossible. Absolutely impossible.

I felt my cheeks burning, my lips numb with shock.

"You must be joking," I managed to say, my throat feeling like something was lodged in it.

"Remember when you tried to set me up to attack Annie?" Robert's voice

hardened, each word cutting like a blade. "Your little scheme failed because Annie saved me from making the biggest mistake of my life."

My nails dug deep into my palms. Annie Baker. Always her.

"You're misunderstanding me," I forced my voice to remain steady, "I was only trying to help you two reconnect..."

"Save it, Sarah," he interrupted, his voice carrying unprecedented determination. "Annie told Howard everything. When Howard decided to invest in my new project, he had one condition-that I create this account to communicate with you, to see your true face."

My heart pounded violently, as if trying to break through my chest. "You've been spying on me?" My voice rose with anger.

"No. Sarah. I've been watching you expose yourself. How you tried to manipulate 'Howard' while keeping Philip on a string. How you used our unborn child as leverage. How you talked about Annie..."

Nausea rose in my throat. Every message I'd sent to "Howard," every calculated word, every manipulation attempt-all had been read by Robert.Not only that, but those private complaints, the disparagement of Annie,the schemes against Philip... everything had been exposed to Robert.

"You disgust me," Robert said calmly, "I now see the real you-not the facade you put on when you want something from me."

I closed my eyes. This couldn't be happening.

"My condition stands," Robert interrupted me, his voice as firm as iron. "If you want my help with your current situation, I get full custody of Max."

A panic I'd never experienced before seized my heart, "You can't do this,

you have no right! Max is my son!"

"He's my son too," Robert responded calmly.

The line went dead, and I sat motionless on the sofa,trembling all over.My career was in shambles. Philip's company was collapsing, Robert had seen through my manipulations, and Howard-the real Howard-was completely out of my reach.

This can't be real. Robert couldn't have deceived me like this. Using a fake Howard account to monitor me? Another wave of nausea hit me, and I covered my mouth, forcing myself not to throw up. All those messages I'd sent to "Howard"-my clever manipulations, my mockery of Annie,my complaints about Philip-Robert had seen it all.

I felt naked.humiliated, betrayed. Robert, once so docile and obedient.Robert who I could bend to my will, had set such a trap?

How dare he! How dare he! My nails dug into the flesh of my palms, with enough force to nearly draw blood.

Someone must be helping him behind the scenes.

"This is all Annie's fault," I hissed, no longer able to control my emotions,"She must have orchestrated all of this! She's just jealous of my relationship with Philip,jealous of my talent, jealous of me..."

It must be her. Annie, this time, I won't let you get away with it!